Words for my Wordsmith

"Spanish Johnny drove in from the underworld last night

With bruised arms and broken rhythm and a beat-up old Buick but dressed just like dynamite

He tried sellin' his heart to the hard girls over on Easy Street

But they said, "Johnny, it falls apart so easily, and you know hearts these days are cheap"

And the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a cheater"

And the pimps swung their axes and said, "Johnny, you're a liar"

And from out of the shadows came a young girl's voice, said, "Johnny, don't cry"

Puerto Rican Jane, oh, won't you tell me, what's your name?

I want to drive you down to the other side of town

Where paradise ain't so crowded and there'll be action goin' down on Shanty Lane tonight

All the golden-heeled fairies in a real bitch-fight

Pull .38's and kiss their girls goodnight

Goodnight, it's alright, Jane

Now let them black boys in to light the soul flame

We may find it out on the street tonight, baby

Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe

Well, like a cool Romeo he made his moves, oh, she looked so fine

Like a late Juliet, she knew she'd never be true but then, she really didn't mind

Upstairs a band was playin' and the singer was singin' something about going home

She whispered, "Spanish Johnny, you can leave me tonight, but just don't leave me alone"

And Johnny cried, "Puerto Rican Jane, word is down, the cops have found the vein"

Them barefoot boys left their homes for the woods

Them little barefoot street boys, they said their homes ain't no good

They left the corners, threw away their switchblade knives and kissed each other goodbye

Johnny was sittin' on the fire escape, watchin' the kids playin' down the street

He called down, "Hey little heroes, summer's long, but I guess it ain't very sweet around here anymore"

Janey sleeps in sheets damp with sweat

Johnny sits up alone and watches her dream on, dream on

And the sister prays for lost souls, then breaks down in the chapel after everyone's gone

Jane moves over to share her pillow but opens her eyes to see Johnny up and putting his clothes on

She says, "Those romantic young boys, all they ever want to do is fight

Those romantic young boys, they're callin' through the window

Hey, Spanish Johnny, you want to make a little easy money tonight?"

And Johnny whispered, "Goodnight, it's all tight, Jane

I'll meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

We may find it out on the street tonight, now, baby

Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe"

Goodnight, it's alright, Jane

I'm gonna meet you tomorrow night on Lover's Lane

We can find it out on the street tonight, now, baby

Or we may walk until the daylight, maybe"

I would just sit and listen and paint the mental images in my head and the characters and the places and it was just like reading a novel and the different characters in all the songs on different records and their stories all overlapping and changing and growing as their penman grew and aged himself.

And the band just flat out just rocked, 3:30 hour shows and such and it was just the greatest thing ever.